Ciro Immobile’s scoring feats have alerted old club Juventus, but Torino remains the best choice for his development argues Jeremy Lim.

It is an open secret Ciro Immobile and Carlos Tevez do not see eye to eye. But after ankle-snapping tackles and perceived allegations of ‘killer’ being traded in eventful circumstances, their differences have recently found more constructive outlets befitting of their talents. On Saturday, Immobile registered his first career hat-trick to surpass his counterpart in the Capocannoniere charts. A day later, Tevez would strike the winner against Catania to come alongside on 16 goals apiece.

In the midst of this absorbing contest, it has rarely escaped the attention of onlookers that both the Serie A top scorers reside on Juventus’ books. A return for Immobile to his boyhood club to link up with Tevez is keenly speculated. If the prolific duo could be convinced to set aside their tensions and allocate their collective skills to a united cause, what type of striking partnership might that give rise to in the black and white half of Turin? A formidable one, conventional wisdom instructs.

A two-time Viareggio tournament champion during his spell with the Juventus Primavera, Immobile checks many of the Italian champions’ requirements from the start. Young and a full international for Italy, the striker’s sensational exploits for city rivals Torino have thrust his name into Cesare Prandelli’s reckoning ahead of the World Cup. To have a club youth reproducing that kind of form for the senior Juventus team at some stage is certainly not without its appeal.

Yet the homecoming of what can appear a kindred spirit, a prodigal son, has been far from straightforward in recent years. Sebastian Giovinco can attest that a very messy situation awaits if often-lofty expectations are not met. La Formica Atomica had enjoyed two breakthrough seasons at Parma building his name outside of Juventus. A handsome sum was released so the former golden boy could rejoin with his former colleagues, the new Serie A champions. In the following months though, Giovinco has deceived spectacularly owing to the transfer dues and early hype about the move.

Despite seeing his profile grow and his stock rise unabated at Torino, and Pescara before that, Immobile still remains somewhat of an unknown quantity at the top like Giovinco was. Analysis of whether he can deliver from his stints in the provinces is inconclusive. Preceding the 24-year-old’s double figures with the Granata came unproductive spells at Siena and Genoa, after all. And with Giovinco’s pair of impressive campaigns at Parma already an insufficient gauge, concern about Immobile ultimately not proving to be the finished article the Juventus faithful demand should set off alarm bells.

Would Immobile have the stomach to assert himself in a team where he fails to stand out in quality from the rest, and where he will not be a definite starter? Can the youngster operate to the standards of consistency required at Juventus, without suffering the burnout typical of those at his tender age? Questions best not answered the hard way. The future presence of Fernando Llorente and possibly, Dani Osvaldo, ahead in the pecking order would appear to settle the argument.

Instead, the freshly-frocked Italy international needs more opportunities to make mistakes away from the spotlight, because that will invariably make him a better player. A decision on his immediate future should not centre around beginning a medal collection, but rather, concern preparing himself for when his big break arrives. Staying on at the Stadio Olimpico for another season presents the best option therefore, where Immobile can discover whether he is up to the task of reprising the scoring burdens of Giampiero Ventura’s side. The outfit are most definitely not in a rush to kick him back to Vinovo, in any case.

“Ventura was convinced he could do well here and I have a proposal for Juve - they should leave him with Toro for another year. It is a choice that will suit the lad, because he’s happy with us, and it suits Juventus because another season like this will send his price-tag through the roof,” Torino head Umberto Cairo mentioned. “For Immobile another year here can only do his development good,” director Gianluca Petrachi echoed, just before the forward would underline the wisdom in those words with that hat-trick past Livorno.

That Immobile is not Juventus material yet should not be viewed as a denigrative slur aimed in his direction, nor detract from his feats at Torino. Simply, the club of his youth can wait, for his days are spent more productively elsewhere, with their noisy neighbours. Now, the starlet must just focus on the ending the season on a high by besting his club and personal rival Tevez in the scoring charts to secure another milestone, in a season already full of them.

Tuttosport launched the rumour of a Pogba-Cavani swap. In that case Immobile would be better off not joining Juve, which instead should try to involve also Verratti and raise some money for Kroos and Cerci. 4-3-3: Buffon; Licht-Barzagli-Bonucci-Chiellini; Vidal-Verratti-Kroos; Cerci-Cavani-Tevez. Not too bad as a lineup ;o)

on the 2nd April, 2014 at 5:04pm

jimmy_stallion

Unless Juve plan to cash in Llornte, I would leave him in Torino for another season for his development. We don't need a CF, we need a RW for next year, as it looks like Pepe's career is over.

on the 28th March, 2014 at 2:50am

Papaberts

I have to be honest even as a Napoli fan, although Ciro Immobile is Neapolitan I hope for his future development he remains a Juventus player. I say this as it will also benefit to strengthen La Nazionale!

Forza Ciruzzz!

on the 27th March, 2014 at 8:57pm

Maldini's Heir

@ Viktor and Daniel Giambrone I agree. I watch a lot of rugby and its actually ridiculous how much rugby players give. It's not a question of even being tough (although rugby players are freaks). There's always been a cynical side to Italian football both with defenders roughing up strikers and strikers diving. While the rules permit this i.e. while there are zero consequences, you can't really blame the players. For me there should be video replays and if players cheat they get banned. End of

on the 27th March, 2014 at 4:37pm

Viktor

@Daniel Giambrone

100% agree. These clown acts has to stop. Professional athletes who as soon as someone touches them they fall to the ground in immense pain. I think that's one of the reasons many people got fed up about Italian league its too much diving and acting.I've played football my entire life and I enjoy the physical aspect of the game. If you take away the physical aspect you ruin the game. Shoulder to Shoulder.

on the 27th March, 2014 at 2:47pm

Daniel Giambrone

@Viktor, the game annoyed the hell out of me! How many times did the players go to ground whilst clutching their faces?! It was embarrassing, pathetic, & made me ashamed of Italian football. The players have to stop acting like ponce's & man up.

on the 27th March, 2014 at 9:59am

viktor

the red card against amauri was the lightest red booking I've seen in years. disgraceful.

on the 26th March, 2014 at 10:55pm

Dario

His hometown is Napoli although he is on the books of rubentus

on the 26th March, 2014 at 8:45pm

Anonymous

@Anonymous It clearly says his boyhood club Juve... not napoli

on the 26th March, 2014 at 4:58pm

Adam

I think Cerci is needed more than this guy for Juve, that being said he is a good forward and could be used in the next for years. Immobile is the most promising out of the Juventus co owned forwards.. Belardi scored four against a very bad Milan team and everyone thinks he is the next Messi..!

on the 26th March, 2014 at 3:18pm

DOMINATOR

Yes if he goes to Juve he will be the replacement for del piero just like giovinco was. NOT. stay in torino or with another garbage team. It is easy to shine at a crap team - big fish small pond. At juve he wouldnt replace tevez. Hed be added to the striker merry go round.

Having said that he may flop like most italian strikers and never get the opportunity at a big club again. Maybe he should warm the juve bench for a year then go back to a crap team.

on the 26th March, 2014 at 1:53pm

mez

Oh PLLLLLEASEEEEE...the guy scores 4 goals and all of a sudden he is the answer to all of Juve's problems!!...did we not say the same thing about Giovinco when he was scoring for Parma?? he was brougt back to Juve and he turnd out to be the playesr I always thought he was - average. If Juve are serious about launching an assault on CL they shld leave him where he is. One thing is to score a hat trick against an average team in Italy and another is to play againt the likes of Bayern and Barca

on the 26th March, 2014 at 12:30pm

Anonymous

Immobile is Napulitan, how they let him get on Juves books is surprising. He should play for his hometown Napoli, they would be a great capture, he would do well there.

on the 26th March, 2014 at 9:22am

Vinny

I believe Juve would best served leaving Immobile, Berardi, Zaza, and Gabbiadini where they are this season. Maybe bring in one of them. But I would leave Berardi and Immobile exactly where they are. I don't think they will get better on the bench at Juve when they could get regular first team football ate Torino and Sasulo. I love Tevez ut he's not getting younger so there will be a need in the 15-16 season. Let them have one more year to build their pedigree hen bring them in.

on the 26th March, 2014 at 12:54am

Anonymous

Juve should look no further for a striker as Immobile has always produced and will be fine off the bench for them ...they need to back italian talent, this is what all top teams need to do in Seria A this is the road to travel for the betterment of italian football..

on the 25th March, 2014 at 11:21pm

Vinni M.

He is already a better striker than both Giovinco and Quagliarella, so why not get rid of those two and bring Immobile in ??

on the 25th March, 2014 at 4:42pm

Daniel Giambrone

He'd be much better off staying at Torino. Juve are stocked with strikers, plus they own many on co-ownership deals (Zaza, Gabbiadini, Berardi etc). Plus Juve are being linked with high profile strikers like Manzukic. Quags & Giovinco should have left Juve a long time ago, as they are just cameo acts. You also have to question their hunger, as it seems to me like they are just happy to pick up their pay slip, rather than doing everything they can in order to get to the World Cup.

on the 25th March, 2014 at 3:51pm

juveman

to me he is the real gem of our on loan youth not berardi but hopefully berardi also has a very bright future ahead of him, it's simply that there has been a lot more said about berardi so far while immobile has been way more consistent.

on the 25th March, 2014 at 2:05pm

Maldini's Heir

He's having a great season and could offer an alternative upfront at the World Cup. Gilas' got the experience and Destro's seems a decent finisher but Immobile is more complete. We could go with Balo, Immobile, Rossi (fingers crossed), Cassano, Cerci + one from Insigne or SES (you never know he might have an incredible April!). Not bad! Surely we can be spared Osvaldo at the World Cup?

on the 25th March, 2014 at 1:50pm

FERBAN

They could bring in back in the summer. What's the problem?

He's 24 and ready for Juve. Tevez and he should bury the hatchet and get on with it.

If Juve go to a 4-3-3 next season then a front 3 of Tevez - Llorente - Cerci(maybe) backed up by Immobile, Gabbiadini + Berardi (but maybe loan him out again) would be great to see.

Those 3 would put real pressure on the older trio.

Osvaldo, at the proposed 17m, would be a waste of money when you've got those 3 chomping at the bit for a game.

on the 25th March, 2014 at 1:39pm

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